ROB'S ALBUM OF THE WEEK: BRAD ALAN DENNISON'S BAD STARTS & BROKEN HEARTS

For over 50 years, New York City has been home to some of the best singer-songwriters in music history. Names like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Jackson Browne and Harry Nilsson got their start in The Big Apple and gone on to influential cult status and/or become mainstream icons. A guy who can definitely be considered The City That Never Sleeps' best kept secret won't be for long with his new EP Bad Starts & Broken Hearts. That's Brad Alan Dennison and his record has that catchy groove that takes over your soul.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Tim Champion at Sandpile Recording in the west village of New York City along with Lucas Van Lenten and Daniel Weintraub at Hell's Kitchen Studio in Brooklyn, the production quality is crystal clear. Everything syncopates perfectly and sounds impeccable, and also the songs are pretty damn good too. A performer at Boobstock NYC at The Irish Exit this past October, Brad's songs have that pop feel that stays with you while at the same time exuding genuinely heartfelt lyrics that put you into a trance. A spectacular album that deserves
everyone's attention.

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The time has arrived, the moment is here and it's apparent that you know what's next. Yep, it's the part of this piece of music journalism excellence that I pick my favorite songs off of Brad Alan Dennison's Bad Starts & Broken Hearts. There's only 6 songs on this record, but that doesn't make it easier because every track is astounding. Anyways like I always say, here goes something:

"Come Home With Me" starts with a very fantastic guitar riff and then sets into a groove, any guy who's about to go on a hot date should listen to this track for some inspiration. "Fauxbia" is has that pop I mentioned earlier, anyone can relate to Brad's tales about being alone in his apartment and just thinking the day away. "Wake Up Allison" has a funky bass line along with the magnificent Cecili Simmons on backing vocals singing along with Brad on the song. Just because I just mentioned three tracks off of Brad's EP doesn't mean you should take my word for it and ignore it, in fact you should do the complete opposite.

Brad celebrated the release of Bad Starts & Broken Hearts at Entwine on 765 Washington Street in New York City on February 10th and be sure he'll be playing all over good ol' gotham and perhaps even beyond in the near future. Until Brad comes and plays at your favorite watering hole or music venue, grab a copy of Bad Starts & Broken Hearts. A jewel of music that will put you at ease and grace a smile on your face.

- Rob Duguay